China = Cheap labor. In Denmark, the people are like us, i.e. demand justifiably higher pay.

So, to put it simply:

China = Cheap labor, lower quality, workers care less. My friend and fellow writer Quillmaster, on Castle World, who runs a business in China, says that LEGO isn't really available in China. So, what do the Chinese care?

Denmark = "Only the best is good enough." LEGO is to Denmark what twinkies are to the US, or fast cars to Italians. It's a matter of pride. If it's made in Denmark, count on it being of the highest quality.

_________________LEGO Builder, Writer, Video-Gamer, Greaser, History Professor, Swordsman, and Military Collector. I am the Most Interesting Man in the World. :p

China = Cheap labor, lower quality, workers care less. My friend and fellow writer Quillmaster, on Castle World, who runs a business in China, says that LEGO isn't really available in China. So, what do the Chinese care?

The Chinese plant does not use a different plastic to save on production costs. The reason Chinese production began was to open up more capacity for producing parts (with lower labor costs possibly being another unstated reason). The use of different materials was an unfortunate consequence of Chinese manufacturing laws which require a certain amount of the materials for production to come from domestic sources. Despite being a separate plastic, most Chinese parts are still made from ABS in as close a formulation as is possible to that used in LEGO's other production facilities around the globe. Lego isn't the type of company to just dummie down their product since they are the company that is quality and customer service first.

In general, almost all current sets include parts produced in Denmark, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. This includes recent BIONICLE/Hero Factory sets which are produced only in these locations. Other LEGO sets (such as those from the Atlantis theme) usually include parts produced in Mexico and China. The Collectible Minifigures are produced in China and China alone. Other parts that are known (or at least, widely assumed) to be produced in China are specially-painted parts or parts with complex printing. These parts are usually individually packed in tiny plastic bags inside a set. Examples include the Rock Monsters from the Power Miners theme, the specialized head pieces from the Toy Story theme, and the treasure rings from the Atlantis theme.

The use of different materials was an unfortunate consequence of Chinese manufacturing laws which require a certain amount of the materials for production to come from domestic sources.

Badda bing! This is exactly what me an S133 were getting at. Why use China when they have those laws? Frankly, I think it's stupid; since quality is so important to LEGO, why take chances? Why not use Norway, England, or some other country in Denmark's immediate vicinity to assure quality? China deters me from purchasing items like the pirate and castle battlepacks, items I would have bought if they were Danish, and not Chinese clothes-hangar plastic, i.e. pirate battlepack redcoats that are semi-translucent. When I see "Denmark, Hungary, and the Czech Republic" printed on the side of the box, I beam with joy. When I see "Mexico," I could go either way. I haven't had any real problems with Mexican parts to my knowledge. When I see "China," I go "Uh-oh..." Nothing against the Chinese of course, but we all know about infamous Chinese plastic...

_________________LEGO Builder, Writer, Video-Gamer, Greaser, History Professor, Swordsman, and Military Collector. I am the Most Interesting Man in the World. :p

Joined: Mon May 25, 2009 7:08 pmPosts: 2694Location: The bridge of the Tristram

It can even be seen in other types of models. Trumpeter Scale Models, made in China, clearly have much lower mold quality than Tamiya, wich is a Japanese company. Of course there are always exceptions and I've yet to buy any of the PotC sets, so I can't speak for china specific lego products. I have noticed a slight downscale in quality of some elements, though, mainly torsos and legs.

_________________"...and not be a lame, boring adult with no toys or hobbies."-Napoleon Flickr

It can even be seen in other types of models. Trumpeter Scale Models, made in China, clearly have much lower mold quality than Tamiya, wich is a Japanese company. Of course there are always exceptions and I've yet to buy any of the PotC sets, so I can't speak for china specific lego products. I have noticed a slight downscale in quality of some elements, though, mainly torsos and legs.

Yep, on whole, Chinese plastic is worse than any other kind. I wish they'd consider how much people hate their products and try to do a better job.

_________________LEGO Builder, Writer, Video-Gamer, Greaser, History Professor, Swordsman, and Military Collector. I am the Most Interesting Man in the World. :p

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